Most residents of Benin City on Saturday ignored the  statewide restriction on vehicular and human movement imposed for the Edo Local Government Area  elections.

Pssengers and motorists were seen moving around parts of the Benin City metropolis on Saturday morning.

Vehicular and commercial activities were observed around major areas including Ring Road, Airport Road, and the New Benin axis.

Commercial buses, tricycles, and private vehicles were seen conveying passengers, while traders also opened shops in some parts of the city, in apparent disregard for the restriction order.

The movement occurred despite the directive by the  Police Command in Edo, restricting movement across the state from 12:00 midnight to 6:00 p.m. on election day.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, had said in a statement on Friday that the restriction formed part of comprehensive security arrangements put in place in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful, orderly and credible electoral process.

She noted that the measure was aimed at preventing the infiltration of hoodlums and ensuring the unhindered movement of electoral materials and personnel.

In some areas, residents and commercial drivers claimed ignorance of the restriction, while others said they were going about their normal business because “nothing was happening” at their polling units.

A commercial driver at Ring Road, who identified himself only as Edos, said, “We no hear say dem restrict movement today. We dey hustle because we get family to feed.”

Another resident in New Benin said the low turnout at polling units might be responsible for the movement, as many voters stayed back at home.

It was also observed that voter turnout was generally low in many polling units visited within the metropolis.

The Edo council election is to elect chairmen and councillors across the 18 local government areas of the state.

As of 9:45 a.m., voting had not commenced at the units while accreditation was still ongoing in some, with some police officers maintaining trying to ensure law and order.

As of the time this report was filed, security agents were not seen at strategic points in the city monitoring compliance with the restriction.

 (NAN)